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The Telegraph has a disturbing story on Germans flocking to Pakistan's Taliban-controlled Waziristan tribal region and setting up their own village:

The village, in Taliban-controlled Waziristan, is run by the notorious al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, which plots raids on Nato forces in Afghanistan.

A recruitment video presents life in the village as a desirable lifestyle choice with schools, hospitals, pharmacies and day care centres, all at a safe distance from the front.

In the video, the presenter, "Abu Adam", the public face of the group in Germany, points his finger and asks: "Doesn't it appeal to you? We warmly invite you to join us!"

According to German foreign ministry officials a growing number of German families, many of North African descent, have taken up the offer and travelled to Waziristan where supporters say converts make up some of the insurgents' most dedicated fighters.

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, which has a foothold in several German cities, has capitalised on growing concern over the rising profile of German forces in Afghanistan. Their role has become increasingly controversial in Germany in recent weeks after dozens of civilians were killed in an air strike ordered by German officers.

More by Bill Roggio

The German link to al Qaeda has come to the fore of late, with two videos released by Bekkay Harrach, alias Al Hafidh Abu Talha al Almani. The German is a member of al Qaeda's external operations branch, the unit assigned to conduct attacks against the United States and the West. In one of the tapes, Harrack threatens to strike inside Germany if the government does not pull troops from Afghanistan. With a village of Germans in Afghanistan, Harrach has the recruits to make good on such a threat.